Abbey's Road: A Veterans Day tribute

Last year when Bookworm was in second grade, her teacher assigned her a special project: To interview three veterans at a local assisted living center and give a presentation about them during the school Veterans Day assembly.

As we drove to our appointment, I attempted to explain what a big deal it is to meet and interview a veteran—especially World War II veteran. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, fewer than 500,000 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are still alive; nearly 350 die every day.

An inspiring hour

We had a great conversation that day with Bob Ewing and Idabell Koontz, both World War II veterans, and Bill Leonard, who served during the Korean War. Bookworm brightened their day; they enriched hers in ways I don’t think she fully understood.

I liked Idabell’s spirit. At 93, she was more coherent than I feel on most weekdays (and some weekends). During the time she served as a nurse at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, she worked with wounded soldiers who had returned home from battle. She spoke of how thankful she is for medical advances in the last 75 years that allow paraplegics the opportunity to walk again and for a remedy besides penicillin to treat infections.

Bob and Bill, too, shared stories of bravery, patriotism and service to the country they loved, some of which brought them to tears.

It was an inspiring hour.

A few weeks later, Idabell and Bob came to Bookworm’s school to listen to her presentation. They watched quietly as the songs for each branch of military service were sung. They put their hands over their hearts during the national anthem. They smiled at the sea of young faces standing on the risers and spread out on the floor before them.

It was fun to listen to the kids, but it was an honor to see Bob and Idabell watching.

When my editor this year requested ideas for a Veteran’s Day story, they immediately came to mind.

Bookworm decided to accompany me to the interview, and as we approached the front desk, the first thing she did was ask how her three veterans were doing.

“Well,” a friendly staffer tentatively said, “Bob isn’t here anymore.”

There was a little pause as Bookworm looked at her, not entirely understanding.

“He passed away a few months ago,” she gently explained.

The last time Bookworm saw him, he was in a wheelchair in her elementary school gymnasium, watching the kids sing “God Bless America.”

I’m sure it wasn’t easy or convenient for him to bundle up and head out in his wheelchair on a cold November day to take a bus across town and sit in an elementary school gymnasium with a drove of schoolchildren, but he did it.

For a second-grader he barely knew.

Just like he fought in a foreign land, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, to help defend freedom for millions of people he would never meet.

Though we were saddened by the news about Bob (and glad to hear Bill was doing great), our conversation with Idabell--now one year closer to 100--was as enlightening as ever.

Her face lit up when she saw Bookworm.

“I can’t believe how much you’ve grown!” she remarked, in some form, no fewer than five times during our visit. She remembered right away that Bookworm is now in third grade, and it was a joy to listen as she reflected upon her experiences serving her country.

When I asked Idabell how Americans can honor veterans, here is what she said:

“By being decent to ‘em. You’re supposed to love one another, you know. And that has not been the way people are anymore.”

A quick headline perusal would affirm her position, but that’s no reason to settle.

We are planning to celebrate this Veterans Day by being more-than-decent and loving one another; by fighting against hatred and standing for truth.

By putting ourselves in situations that might be uncomfortable or inconvenient because we believe in the greater good.

Thank you, Bob, Idabell, Bill and all veterans for your service.

Your sacrifice was not in vain.

Abbey Roy is a mom of three girls who make every day an adventure. She writes to maintain her sanity. You can probably reach her at amroy@nncogannett.com, but responses are structured around bedtimes and weekends.